Tag Archives: ASCAP

Jamaica Knauer, who seems to bring her video camera along whenever there’s good music, captured this performance for us: the West End Jazz Band performing at the Coon-Sanders Nighthawks Fans’ Bash on May 16, 2009 in Huntington, West Virginia. The WEJB features Leah Bezin, guitar and vocal; Mike Bezin, trumpet; John Otto, alto sax; Frank Gualtieri, trombone; Mike Walbridge, tuba; Andy Schumm, covering the drum chair rather than his usual cornet or piano.

This song, OUT WHERE THE LITTLE MOONBEAMS ARE BORN, recorded by George Olsen and other bands in 1929, was new to me. I couldn’t find its composer credits in the ASCAP database, so I would be interested in knowing who wrote it.

Experienced listeners with good memories might find phrases in it reminiscent (forwards as well as backwards) of more famous songs, but all of that fades away in this sweetly earnest performance. And it passed my tests: I found myself humming it and had to play the clip several times in a row before moving on. Maybe it’s perfect music for all of our yearnings to get away to a magical place where no one can intrude on our romances. See if it doesn’t become part of your mental musical library, too!

Heartfelt thanks to the WEJB and to Jamaica for preserving this sweet moment.